Diagnostic Description
provided by FAO species catalogs
The external appearance of Andrews' beaked whale is poorly known; however, its skeleton is similar to that of Hubbs' beaked whale. Adult males are all dark, except for the front half of the beak, which is white. The flattened tusks of males of this species emerge from the middle of the lower jaw on raised sockets, and protrude above the upper jaw. Can be confused with: The teeth of bulls, if seen well, will allow Andrews' beaked whale to be distinguished from most other Mesoplodon species. They are most likely to be mistaken for Blainville's beaked whale but lack the arched lower jaw.
- bibliographic citation
- Marine mammals of the world. Jefferson, T.A., S. Leatherwood & M.A. Webber - 1993. FAO species identification guide. Rome, FAO. 320 p. 587 figs. .
- author
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN
Size
provided by FAO species catalogs
Females reach at least 4.6 m in length and males reach 4.7 m. Length at birth is presumed to be about 2 m.
- bibliographic citation
- Marine mammals of the world. Jefferson, T.A., S. Leatherwood & M.A. Webber - 1993. FAO species identification guide. Rome, FAO. 320 p. 587 figs. .
- author
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN
Brief Summary
provided by FAO species catalogs
Essentially nothing is known of the biology of this species, other than the few facts that have been gleaned from stranded individuals.
- bibliographic citation
- Marine mammals of the world. Jefferson, T.A., S. Leatherwood & M.A. Webber - 1993. FAO species identification guide. Rome, FAO. 320 p. 587 figs. .
- author
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN
Benefits
provided by FAO species catalogs
No exploitation of this species is known. IUCN: Insufficiently known.
- bibliographic citation
- Marine mammals of the world. Jefferson, T.A., S. Leatherwood & M.A. Webber - 1993. FAO species identification guide. Rome, FAO. 320 p. 587 figs. .
- author
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN
